Dear Colleague,
This week saw the publication of new passenger car registration figures for 2021. Although the market experienced a marginal increase from last year, it remains below pre-pandemic levels. Positively, a poll we conducted on Wednesday showed that the vast majority of franchised dealers are optimistic about levels of consumer demand in the year ahead.
The light commercial vehicle sector grew by 21.4% in 2021, demonstrating significant resilience despite a number of challenges, namely around supply. Please find further information on the new car and light van markets in today’s news.
Applications for our Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) accreditation scheme are open and the deadline is approaching. As the transition to electric vehicles continues, it is important that dealers showcase their EV expertise to customers. Contact us today to get audited and receive your EVA badge of approval. Please email eva@rmif.co.uk for more information.
We have announced dates and venues for our next round of NFDA Regional Meetings which will be held across the country in February. We will update you on the issues we are tackling on your behalf, including the future of the dealer-manufacturer relationship, F&I, HR, aftersales, GDPR and more. Our members’ input is vital - make sure you join your nearest NFDA meeting. Please email lena.patel@rmif.co.uk to attend.
NFDA is the voice of automotive retailers: if you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our member helpline on 01788 538303 or email nfda@rmif.co.uk.
Sue Robinson, Chief Executive